Modular, knock-down drinking vessel

ABSTRACT

A modular drinking vessel having a bottom-most base module, a removable intermediate module, and a removably attachable cap module including a mouthpiece and a tethered cap. At least one of the modules has at least one extensible and collapsible handle anchored at both ends to a slide track on the module. Two such handles may be provided on opposed sides of the modular drinking vessel. Alternatively, the drinking vessel may comprise a monolithic cup with at least one such handle, in the absence of intermediate and cap modules.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/967,212 filed Mar. 12, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to drinking vessels, and more particularly, to modular, disassemblable or knock-down drinking vessels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drinking vessels are subject to many different demands. For most purposes, it is desirable that a drinking vessel be inexpensive, readily cleaned, have a closure, and optionally have an integral spout or mouthpiece facilitating preventing spillage while drinking. Even a vessel meeting the above functions may be unsatisfactory because it may provide too little capacity or alternatively, objectionable volume.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure addresses the above stated situation by providing a modular cup including a tethered cap and a mouthpiece. Modules may be added or removed to vary holding capacity. The cup has at least one expansible handle movable from a compact stowed configuration to an extended deployed configuration. The cup has a mouthpiece module having either one of two styles of mouthpiece. One type is centered over the cylindrical body of the cup, and generally circular in cross section. The other type is located near the periphery of the cup, and is oval or otherwise non-circular in cross section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a n exploded side view of a modular drinking vessel, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan detail view of an uppermost module shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan detail view of a bottommost module shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan detail view of of the bottommost module shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of a handle shown at the bottom of FIG. 1, illustrating a flattened or spread condition for stowage;

FIG. 6 is a perspective detail view of the handle of FIG. 5, illustrating a compressed or bulging deployed condition;

FIG. 7 is a side detail view of the lowermost module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side detail view of an alternative to the uppermost component of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top perspective detail view of the alternative component of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure, there is shown a modular drinking vessel 100 comprising base module 102, at least one intermediate module 104, and cap module 106. Base module 102 includes floor 108, lateral wall 110 projecting from the floor 108, and first connector 112 on the lateral wall 110. Intermediate module 104 includes lateral wall 114, second connector 116 at one edge 118 of lateral wall 114, second connector 116 being matingly compatible with first connector 116 of base module 102. In the example of FIG. 1, first and second connectors 112, 116 comprise matingly compatible screw threads. Intermediate module 104 includes third connector 120 at an opposed edge 122 of lateral wall 114. Intermediate module 104 is open at both ends 124, 126. Connecting intermediate module 104 to base module 102 increases fluid capacity of the latter.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not either require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

Cap module 106 comprises lateral wall 128 which is shorter (as indicated by arrow 130) than lateral wall 114 of intermediate module 104. Cap module 106 comprises fourth connector 132 at one end 134 of lateral wall 128, fourth connector 132 being matingly compatible with third connector 120 of intermediate module 104, and cover panel 136 at an opposed end 138 of the lateral wall 128. Cover panel 136 has a periphery (seen as surface 140 in FIG. 1) and a mouthpiece 142 including a drinking orifice 144. Cover panel 136 closes cap module 106 except at drinking orifice 144. Cover panel 136 includes cap 146, the latter attachable to cap module 106 and configured to entirely seal cover panel 136 and mouthpiece 142 from the external atmosphere. Flexible tether 148 tethers cap 146 to cap module 106, and may be fastened to cap module 106 and cap 146 by enlarged heads 180, rivets (not shown), or still other fasteners (none shown).

Flexible tether 148 is sufficiently long to bulge outwardly from modular drinking vessel 100 when modular drinking vessel 100 is assembled and cap 146 is installed thereon sufficiently to provide space for the hand or fingers (not shown) of a user to grasp flexible tether 148 as a carrying handle. Space for the hand or fingers is seen as arrows 150, 152.

Modular drinking vessel 100 has a longitudinal axis 154 extending centrally along the lengths of base module 102, intermediate module 104, and lateral wall 128 of cap module 106 when modular drinking vessel 100 is assembled. Assembly signifies that intermediate module 104 is tightly connected to base module 102, and cap module 106 is tightly connected to intermediate module 104. It is possible to include more than one intermediate module 104, as second connector 116 is compatible with third connector 120. Hence a series of intermediate modules 104 (only one is shown) could be connected together if desired.

Cap 146 connects to lateral wall 128 of cap module 106 in the following way. Cap module 106 has a fifth connector 156 on that side of cap module 106 opposite fourth connector 132. Cap 146 has a sixth connector 158 matingly complementing fifth connector 156. Fifth and sixth connectors 156, 158 collectively comprise a finite travel mechanical interlock. In the example of FIG. 1, fifth connector 156 comprises at least one L-shaped groove 160 formed in surface 140. Sixth connector 158 comprises at least one dog or interlock projection 162 which fits slidably in close cooperation with one L-shaped groove 160. When cap 146 is connected to cap module 106 by inserting interlock projection 162 into L-shaped groove 160 as far as possible in the vertical direction (as shown in FIG. 1), cap 146 is twisted so that interlock projection 162 passes towards distal end 164 of L-shaped groove 160. At this point, the end of L-shaped groove stops further rotation of cap 146 by interference. Hence the travel of interlock projection 162 is limited or finite. This connection is typical of those called bayonet connections, and will be referred to as a finite travel interlock. A finite travel interlock could take forms other than the bayonet connection described herein.

The number of L-shaped grooves 160, although shown as two in FIG. 1, could be only one, or if desired, more than two. Two interlock projections 160 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The number of interlock projections 162 is at least one, and if desired, more than one. The number of interlock projections 162 may be less than the number of L-shaped grooves 160, but cannot be greater.

In the example of FIG. 1, and referring also to FIG. 2, mouthpiece 142 is centrally located on cover panel 136 (i.e., is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 154) and is annular in a cross section taken along longitudinal axis 154.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3-7, modular drinking vessel 100 comprises at least one collapsible handle 166. Base module 102 has at least one slide track 168 extending along the exterior of and recessed into lateral wall 110. Handle 166 comprises flexible strap 170, first head or anchor 172 slidably engageable within slide track 168 at one end of flexible strap 170, and second head or anchor 174 slidably engageable with slide track 168 at the other end of flexible strap 170. First and second anchors 172, 174 can be spread apart to draw flexible strap 170 towards longitudinal axis 154 from a bulging deployed condition depicted in FIG. 6. First and second anchors 172, 174 can be drawn towards one another (as shown in FIG. 6) to cause flexible strap to bulge outwardly and expose a handhold for engaging the fingers (not shown) of a user. FIG. 7 depicts the bulging deployed condition of handle 166 in solid lines, and a flattened, spread apart stowed condition of handle 166 in broken lines. FIG. 5 shows handle 166 in the flattened, spread apart stowed condition, isolated from other components of base module 102.

Although only one handle 166 is shown in FIGS. 1, and 4-7, base module 102 may have two slide tracks 170 and two handles 166 (see FIG. 3). It should also be appreciated that slide track(s) 170 may be formed in intermediate module(s) 104 in place of or in addition to being formed in base module 102. Therefore, at least one of base module 102 and intermediate module 104 may have either one slide track 170, or alternatively, may have two slide tracks 170 extending along and on opposite sides of the exterior of the respective lateral wall(s) 110 or 114 thereof. Where two slide tracks 170 are provided for either base module 102 or intermediate module 104, two handles 166, each mountable to one of the two slide tracks 170 may be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an option to mouthpiece 142 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated. In the option shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, mouthpiece 142 is located on cover panel 136 of cap module 106 proximate a periphery 176 of cover panel 136. Mouthpiece 142 has an oblong opening 178 having length generally parallel to periphery 176 of cover panel 136.

FIG. 8 shows another feature of modular drinking vessel 100. Cap 146 fits in close cooperation with mouthpiece 142 and cover panel 136, having an interior surface 182 reflecting external configuration of mouthpiece 142 and cover panel 136. The same cooperation may be provided with mouthpiece 142 and cover panel 136 of the example of FIG. 1.

Modular drinking vessel 100 may be fabricated from a suitable polymeric material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and other substances. Base module 102 may be configured to contain a fluid capacity between eight and twelve fluid ounces, such as ten fluid ounces. Each intermediate module 104 has a fluid capacity between five and ten fluid ounces, such as seven ounces.

The invention may be thought of as a drinking vessel, such as the modular drinking vessel 100, in the absence of intermediate module(s) 104 and if desired, in the absence of cap module 106. The drinking vessel may comprise floor 108, lateral wall 110, slide track(s) 168, and handle(s) 166.

It should be understood that the various examples of the apparatus(es) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features, and functionalities of any of the other examples of the apparatus(es) disclosed herein in any feasible combination, and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific examples presented and that modifications and other examples are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe examples of the present disclosure in the context of certain illustrative combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A modular drinking vessel comprising: a base module including a floor, a lateral wall projecting from the floor, and a first connector on the lateral wall; at least one intermediate module including a lateral wall, a second connector at one edge of the lateral wall, the second connector matingly compatible with the first connector of the base module, and a third connector at an opposed edge of the lateral wall; and a cap module comprising a lateral wall shorter than the lateral wall of the at least one intermediate module, a fourth connector at one end of the lateral wall, the fourth connector matingly compatible with the third connector of the at least one intermediate module, a cover panel at an opposed end of the lateral wall, the cover panel having a periphery and a mouthpiece including a drinking orifice, the cover panel closing the cap module except at the drinking orifice, a cap attachable to the cap module and configured to entirely seal the cover panel and mouthpiece from the external atmosphere, and a flexible tether tethering the cap to the cap module, the modular drinking vessel having a longitudinal axis extending centrally along the length of the base module, the at least one intermediate module, and the lateral wall of the cap module when the modular drinking vessel is assembled.
 2. The modular drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the first connector of the base module and the second connector of the at least one intermediate module comprise matingly compatible screw threads.
 3. The modular drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the cap module has a fifth connector opposite the fourth connector, the cap has a sixth connector matingly complementing the fourth connector, and the fifth and sixth connectors collectively comprise a finite travel mechanical interlock.
 4. The modular drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is centrally located on the cover panel and is annular in a cross section taken along the longitudinal axis of the modular drinking vessel.
 5. The modular drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is located on the cover panel proximate the periphery of the cover panel, and has an oblong opening having length generally parallel to the periphery of the cover panel.
 6. The modular drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the cap fits in close cooperation with the mouthpiece and the cover panel.
 7. The modular drinking vessel of claim 1, further comprising a collapsible handle.
 8. The modular drinking vessel of claim 7, wherein at least one of the base module and the intermediate module has at least one slide track extending along the exterior of the respective lateral wall thereof, and the handle comprises a flexible strap, a first anchor slidably engageable with the slide track at one end of the flexible strap, and a second anchor slidably engageable with the slide track at the other end of the flexible strap, whereby the first and second anchors can be spread apart to draw the flexible strap towards the longitudinal axis, and drawn towards one another to cause the flexible strap to bulge outwardly and expose a handhold for engaging the fingers of a user.
 9. The modular drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the base module and the intermediate module has two slide tracks extending along and on opposite sides of the exterior of the respective lateral wall thereof, and two handles, each mountable to one of the two slide tracks and comprising a flexible strap, a first anchor slidably engageable with one of the slide tracks at one end of the flexible strap, and a second anchor slidably engageable with the one of the slide tracks at the other end of the flexible strap, whereby, for each one of the handles, the first and second anchors can be spread apart to draw the flexible strap towards the longitudinal axis, and drawn towards one another to cause the flexible strap to bulge outwardly and expose a handhold for engaging the fingers of a user.
 10. The modular drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the base module has a fluid capacity between eight and twelve fluid ounces, and each intermediate module has a fluid capacity between five and ten fluid ounces.
 11. The modular drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the flexible tether is sufficiently long to bulge outwardly from the modular drinking vessel when the modular drinking vessel is assembled and the cap is installed on the modular drinking vessel sufficiently to provide space for the hand of a user to grasp the flexible tether as a carrying handle.
 12. A drinking vessel including a floor, a lateral wall projecting from the floor, at least one slide track extending along the exterior of the lateral wall, and a handle comprising a flexible strap, a first anchor slidably engageable with the slide track at one end of the flexible strap, and a second anchor slidably engageable with the slide track at the other end of the flexible strap, whereby the first and second anchors can be spread apart to draw the flexible strap towards the longitudinal axis, and drawn towards one another to cause the flexible strap to bulge outwardly and expose a handhold for engaging the fingers of a user. 